KUALA LUMPUR: Five finalists march into the RHB-New Straits Times Spell-It-Right (SIR) Challenge 2017 in the secondary school category Saturday.
Ashivina Balachandran of Negeri Sembilan led the pack, spelling four out of five words. She spelled crepitate, parergon, misterioso and catachresis, correctly.
She missed the word, trepan, in the second round but managed to bounce right back into action to make it through into the final.
To determine the remaining four finalists, a tie breaker round was held.
Pahang’s Ariana Sophea Adruin Shazaen secured a spot with the word, pilose.
Coming in third was Kelantan’s Muhammad Nabil Aqil Mohd Ludin with sanguine and in fourth place was Karrthik Sathiyamoorthy of Perak with zugzwang.
Johor’s Tyra Johanna Ridzahuddin almost lost her spot misspelling picaro and trothplight. However, she spelt compathy correctly, earning her the fifth and final spot.
The five out of 14 state champions will be competing for the title of champion later today.
Celebrity host Raymond Goh will be presenting the finals.
This nationwide spelling competition is co-organised by the New Straits Times and the RHB Banking Group.
The challenge is supported by the Education Ministry.
Also present were New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid, NST Group Editor Yushaimi Maulud Yahaya and RHB Banking Group managing director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli.